Love and Angels

eight

Kass

Laney stands a few feet in front of me next to her locker, facing away from me, talking to another girl. I resist the urge to check her out while she isn't aware. I'm supposed to be dating Sasha now, not fantasizing about Laney.

Laney's hand falls to her side and immediately I know something is wrong. I quicken my pace to get to her and take her trembling hand in mine. She smiles up at me, shakily.

Sasha stands in front of her, and my brows furrow as I drop Laney's hand. "What's going on?" I ask.

Looking down at Laney, I know whatever is going on isn't good. Laney's face is pale, and I can see the tears she's holding back glistening in her eyes. She avoids eye contact with both Sasha and me.

"Hey," Sasha attempts to draw my attention to her, running a finger down my chest.

"Hey," I return before turning Laney to face me.

"Is everything okay?" I ask her, placing a hand on her cheek. She turns her head, making me lose contact with her face, and she jerks a quick nod.

Sasha is standing beside me, watching Laney with a sinister smile on her face. She must be the one who has been giving Laney hell. I know I've been kind of distant from her lately, but that doesn't mean Geo hasn't kept me in the loop. We know someone has been tormenting her, we just didn't know who. Now, I think I have an idea, and it sickens me that I've been dating her for the past few weeks.

Laney pulls away from me. "I'll be fine." She looks to Sasha, and a single tear falls down her face before she turns and hurriedly walks away from us.

"What did you do?" I ask Sasha. We've been on two dates and during the last one, she acted like we were a couple. She'd plastered herself to my side the second she saw Laney at the diner the other night. When we'd finally been seated, she repeatedly looked over at Laney's table and either put her hand or her mouth on me, where it didn't belong. I knew something was up, but I'm a dude in high school, I don't exactly turn the touchy-feely away.

Sasha shrugs. "I just told her about Friday night."

My brows furrow in confusion. "What about Friday night?"

"You know, the party?"

"No, I don't know, Sasha." I'd gone to another party with Geo and Renee. Laney was supposed to come, but she said she wasn't feeling well. I pretty much hung with Geo all night until Renee got sloshed and they went upstairs, and then I walked home. That's it.

I shake my head. "This," I gesture between us, "is over. Laney is my friend, and I don't tolerate people who make her cry." Knowing it's near impossible to make Laney cry, Sasha must've said something horrible.

Sasha begins to respond, but I turn and follow Laney down the hall.

I grab Laney's wrist and pull us into a broom closet at the end of the hallway. I turn her to face me, and she finally lets the tears streak down her face, but she remains silent. Wrapping my arms around her to pull her in close, she sags against me, her shoulders quaking with each sob.

"Shhhh. It's okay. I got you."

Laney breathes in a deep breath before pulling away slightly—not enough that I lose my hold but enough that she can make eye contact. Then, she breaks my heart.

"She said you slept with her at the party last Friday."

First mistake? Going to that stupid party without Laney. "I barely know—"

She cuts me off. "I know, but then she told me every little detail of your supposed time together, and I could see it. It was playing out, right in front of me, Kass, and I just broke."

Laney is jealous?

She'd been acting differently ever since my first date with Sasha, but I'd never put two and two together. Laney said we should just be friends, and I respected that.

I pull her in close again as she lets out a sob. I don't speak until she calms down. The bell to signal we are late for class sounds, but neither of us moves. I can't let her out of my sight right now. I won't.

Laney suddenly stands up on her tippy toes and slams her mouth against mine. The force knocks me into the giant sink behind me, but I don't break contact. I am going to revel in every blissful minute she gives me. Her tongue slides in and tangles with mine in practiced precision. I haven't ever had a kiss like this. She retreats and nibbles on my bottom lip, producing a moan from the depths of my throat. Her lips leave mine, and we are both panting in the dingy mop room.

She pulls me tight against her, resting her head on my chest, and my arms naturally surround her. We stay like this, just holding each other until the bell rings, signaling the end of class.

"You wanna get out of here?" I ask her.

She's never skipped school before—not even a class—and I see the thoughts warring in her mind. It doesn't take long before she reaches a decision and nods enthusiastically.

"Breakin' all the rules today. What am I going to do with you?" I question, pulling her out of the closet.

Laney giggles, and I smile at the sound. I turn on her and she bumps into me, not expecting the stop. I wipe under her eyes and she smiles. Giving her a swift kiss before taking her hand in mine, we head for my truck.